BJP's Kapil Mishra holds demo in support of Dhirendra Shastri, asks seers to…

Shastri, a self-styled godman based in Chhatarpur region of Bundelkhand in Madhya Pradesh, hit headlines after he allegedly ran away from a challenge by Maharashtra-based Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti.

Published on: Jan 23, 2023, 06:21:02 IST

By HT News Desk

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Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kapil Mishra on Sunday held a demonstration in support of self-styled godman Dhirendra Shastri and alleged that he was attacked during Christmas for stopping religious conversion. The BJP leader also requested seers in the country to speak out against religious conversions and "love jihad", a term used by right-wing outfits to refer to interfaith relationships between Muslim men and Hindu women.

"I request other seers to come and speak on religious conversions and 'love jihad' just like Bageshwar ji, Dipankar ji, Devkinandan Thakur ji, and Swami Ramdev ji are speaking," Mishra told ANI.

"Attacks on Shastri ji started happening during the time of Christmas when he helped those living in the tribal area return to the religion they acquired at birth. He raised questions on 'love jihad'. Before all this, no attacks were happening. It is our duty to support Bageshwar Dham Maharaj Ji," he added.

Shastri, a self-styled godman based in Chhatarpur region of Bundelkhand in Madhya Pradesh, hit headlines after he allegedly ran away from a challenge by Maharashtra-based Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti. The organisation, dedicated to fighting superstition in India, challenged him to display his miraculous powers at an event in Nagpur.

Responding to the challenge, Shastri told ANI in Raipur, "Such people will keep coming. We do not have a closed room. They (people who have challenged him) should come and see for themselves. Anyone can challenge my words and actions on camera. Lakhs come and sit in the court of Bageshwar Balaji. Whatever inspires me, I will write and what I write, will turn out to be true. I have faith in my God."

On alleged religious conversions, Shastri said, "We are making Hindus return to the religion they acquired at birth. Some people are creating a nuisance. They have to be taught a lesson. As long as I am alive, I will make all Sanatani Hindus return to their original faith."

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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